INHERITED VS. ACQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS

Inherited & Acquired Characteristics Some characteristics that organisms have are inherited (come from their parents). Some characteristics can be acquired (learned) over the lifetime of that organism.

Two Types of Characteristics There are two ways to explain how animals look and behave. Physical Characteristics Behavioral Characteristics

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Some physical characteristics of organisms are passed from parents to their offspring (inherited). Inherited – come from their parents.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ANIMAL EXAMPLES Type and color of body coloring. Type and shape of sensory organ. Body structure. PLANT EXAMPLES Type of leaf. Color of flowers. Type of fruit.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Some physical characteristics of organisms change over the life of the organism. ANIMAL EXAMPLES Weight Hair length Changes due to injury PLANT EXAMPLES Number of leaves Length of roots Amount of branching

BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS A behavior is a response to a change in the environment. Both plants and animals respond to their environment.

BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS { PLANTS } Plants respond to light, water, gravity, and touch.

BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS { PLANTS } Some examples in which plants respond to their environment may be: Their roots grow down, while stems grow up. Vines will grow up a support; or some leaves close up when touched. Leaves grow toward the light.

BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS { ANIMALS} Animals are born with certain behaviors that allow them to survive. In animals, these behaviors are called instincts.

BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS { ANIMALS} Some examples of animal instincts may be: A duck knowing how to swim across the lake without being taught. Different birds build different types of nests without being taught how. Migration and hibernation are also instincts.

BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS { ANIMALS} Animals can also acquire behavioral characteristics as they grow and develop. These characteristics are usually in response to environmental conditions and are a result of learning.

BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS { ANIMALS} Learning is a change of behavior resulting from specific experiences. Unlike instinctive behaviors, learned behaviors are shaped by experience.

BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS { ANIMALS} Examples of learned behaviors may be: A dog can learn to roll over on command. A baby bird is taught to fly by its parent. A bear learns to fish for food.

LESSON 1

What is the difference between inherited and acquired characteristics? FOCUS QUESTION What is the difference between inherited and acquired characteristics?

What makes you look like them? Who do you look like? These are physical characteristics that are inherited traits – characteristics we’re born with! Mother Father Aunt Uncle Grandparent What makes you look like them?

Do animals resemble their parents? HOW?

Do animals resemble their parents? How?

Behavior Behavior is how animals respond to their surroundings (environment). Some behaviors are learned, and some behaviors are instincts. Instincts are behaviors that animals are born with.

Do you own a pet? Describe some funny things they do. Keep it appropriate. Are these behaviors learned or something instinctive to their species?

Let’s watch a short video and then do an activity!